Without phosphorus, we couldn’t produce food: all farmers need access to phosphate fertilisers to ensure high crop yields to feed the world. Yet the world largely relies on non-renewable phosphate rock that is mined in only a few countries. Growing global demand for phosphorus could surpass supply in the coming decades. How to face this future challenge?

Dr. Dana Cordell from University of Technology Sydney, co-founder of Global Phosphourus Research Initiative, will lecture at NIBIO.

While some argue the market mechanisms will take care of the future challenges of phosphorus supplies, Cordell argues that the market price of phosphate fertilisers hides a far deeper burden with consequences as far ranging as the exploitation and displacement of the people in occupied Western Sahara, to nutrient pollution so widespread some aquatic ecosystems have been classified as ‘dead zones’, to jeopardizing future generations’ ability to produce food. If we value the true cost of phosphate rock, we might: use it more sparingly to extend the life of high quality rock for ourselves and future generations; invest in renewable fertilizers sourced from recycled nutrients; diversify phosphorus sources to include those with lower societal costs; and share responsibility for these costs and consequences.

Without phosphorus, we couldn’t produce food: all farmers need access to phosphate fertilisers to ensure high crop yields to feed the world. Yet the world largely relies on non-renewable phosphate rock that is mined in only a few countries. Growing global demand for phosphorus could surpass supply in the coming decades. How to face this future challenge?

Spire invites Dr. Dana Cordell from University of Technology Sydney and co-founder of Global Phosphourus Research Initiative, to talk about the true cost of our phosphate addiction, and how we need to recycle better the phosphate already in use.

One of the largest reserves are located in Western Sahara, a territory under Moroccan occupation. Erik Hagen, director of the Norwegian Support Committee for Western Sahara will explain the international trade of phosphate from Western Sahara, the role of Norway and the Norwegian Government Pension Fund (‘Oljefondet’) in the business.